New recruits in training
YEAR 13 OTAGO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL'S Peter Joseph Keenan, 17, wants to start a career in native forest silviculture. Something of a departure from usual careers in exotic plantations.
He told NZ Logger that he would like to work for the Department of Conservation (DoC). That very day it was announced support from Forestry New Zealand's One Billion Trees Partnership's Fund of $825,000 over three years had launched the Reforestation from Seeds project, Kakano Whakahau.
The upshot is that the project is working with Otago University botanists' 1.5 million beech seed trials on a 55,000ha area between Wanaka and the Shotover River. Most of the area in QE11 Trust, is currently being researched.
This is a collaboration between the University, QE11 Trust, DoC and Taege Engineering, led by Prof Janice Lord of the University's botany department.
This is something young Keenan could really get his teeth into. He admitted he was talked into the Pathways Course by his OBH mate Stanley Moko, 16, who had started with Toko Training.
Stanley, as with the other trainee pupils, had parents with a knowledge of forestry who had encouraged him into a forestry career. He was excited by the variety of opportunities the course offered in the various branches of the industry, with further academic qualifications on his mind.
Benjamin Daniel Mason, 15, of Kavanach College aims to follow in his father's footsteps and become an arborist, but first needed to learn the basics of forestry. He says he does help his dad on occasion, mostly with rope work.
Paikea Hava-Bartlett, 16, also of Kavanach College has had some experience with chainsaws, cutting firewood. He says he was looking forward to getting into forestry work on leaving school, particularly felling, planting and nursery work.
The remaining three students, Leon Maslin, 16, of Tokomairiro High School, Jackstan Clark, 17, of Bayfield High and Bailey Taurari, 16, of OBH were on a field trip that day with Wenita Forest Products. According to McKenzie they were all keen on making forestry a career. The latest to join the group is Sitaleki Pulu, 16, year 12 from Taieri College.
Steve Johnson says the only variation from last year’s course is visits to processing plants, saw mills and nurseries to give students a better idea of the variety of products derived from timber.
Also adding to recruitment of youngsters
Above: Below: from secondary schools is promotion of forestry through Future Forestry. Invercargill based Acacia Farmery, who works with Rayonier/Makariki, has been hitting social media outlets to attract even younger recruits.
NZL